In years past, entering the paint in a Big East game was like entering a black hole.

Guards going in wouldn’t return again — at least not without having a shot blocked or absorbing a blow strong enough to send a sprite body slamming to the floor. In past seasons the Ewings, ’Zos and Mutombos dominated down low. More recently we’ve watched Etan Thomas knock around Travis Knight and Jake Voskuhl battle Reuben Boumtje-Boumtje.

But try naming a Big East center outside Syracuse University this season.

Can’t do it?

That’s because there are only 16 in the league. Three teams don’t have one on their roster and only Syracuse, Georgetown and Virginia Tech have one in their starting lineup.

‘I’m the new guy, and I didn’t see it at first,’ Villanova head coach Jay Wright said. ‘You start to realize it as you work your way through the league. Quality front-court players are very valuable and very rare.’

Rare? Maybe. Non-existent is probably closer to the truth. There isn’t a center in the conference in the top 20 in scoring. Wesley Wilson of Georgetown and Terry Taylor of Virginia Tech are the only pair averaging double figures.

‘You look at the center position and you’re not going to get a lot of touches,’ Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. ‘That’s just how the position is played. Look at Georgetown with Patrick and Alonzo. They were always the third or fourth options on those teams.’

Maybe so. But in 11 years, the trio of Mourning, Ewing and Mutombo averaged double figures 10 times. Former Orangeman Derrick Coleman hit the double-digit mark all four years from 1986 to 1990.

Since then scoring averages have dropped. Connecticut’s Travis Knight was chosen in the NBA draft despite scoring less than 10 per game, while both Seton Hall’s Samuel Delambert (a first-round pick) and UConn’s Jake Voskuhl scored fewer than six.

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey blames the lack of inside scoring on offenses relying on penetration, quick movements and precise cuts to the basket.

‘It’s a testament to the new offenses today,’ he said. ‘With motion offense we need guys that can do a number of things, players who can go inside and step out.’

But it’s not only the offense that’s suffering. Numbers have dropped across the board — or shall we say boards. Centers have traditionally dominated the glass. This year, though, not one averages double figures in rebounding or holds a place in the top 15.

Taylor is the top center on the boards, snatching 6.5 each contest, and Wilson is second with 5.6. Once again, these two are the only centers in the top 25. Even the Big East guards have more representation with five.

Georgetown’s centers used to dominate this category, with Ewing, Mutumbo and Mourning averaging eight rebounds in 10 of their 11 seasons. Even the beanpole Knight’s numbers didn’t foretell the hit the big men would take this season. Knight averaged nine rebounds for each of his final two seasons.

Most coaches blame the NBA for the downfall of the position, but Georgetown coach Craig Esherick splits the blame between the draw of million-dollar contracts, the entourages and pseudo-friends that cling to high school superstars like lost puppies, and the so-called SportsCenter phenomenon where high schoolers watch highlights of dunks and sharpshooters.

According to Esherick, impressionable high schoolers try to emulate the highlights brought into their homes by the Stuart Scotts and Kenny Maynes, making these their entire games.

‘You’ve got guys who are 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11, and they want to be shooting guards” Esherick said. “Alonzo wanted to be one too, but (former coach) John (Thompson) told him he was going to make him millions by playing him at center. Then you’ve got friends and coaches telling these guys they should be shooting guards. You know what? They don’t matter. Because they don’t know anything.’

There is one thing we do know, coach. We won’t be seeing Mutombo vs. Coleman again any time soon.

Numbers Never Lie

4The number of Big East records set and the number of overtimes played by Notre Dame and Georgetown when the Irish beat the Hoyas, 116-110, Saturday. Four overtimes set a Big East conference record, as did 226 total points. Irish point guard Chris Thomas set a conference record for most minutes, refusing to come off the floor for any of the hour-long affair. Georgetown power forward Mike Sweetney scored 35 points and grabbed 20 rebounds for a record of 55 combined points and rebounds.

1,2,3The rankings of the teams in the West Division that East Division-leading Connecticut dodged in the unbalanced Big East schedule. While they haven’t played Pittsburgh, Syracuse or Notre Dame and their only quality nonconference win was against Arizona, the Huskies have the Big East’s second-highest RPI rating at 21.

Are you kidding me?

The Big East almost set records for fewest and most points scored in a game this week. Notre Dame and Georgetown broke the record for most points in a game, while UConn and Villanova came within a point of setting a new low in the Huskies’ hideous 45-40 victory. Connecticut also held Providence to 11 points in the first half earlier in the week. The Friars’ final two points came on technical foul shots after Husky senior Johnnie Selvie thundered home a dunk and followed it by doing a chin-up on the rim.

The court-storming fans in Blacksburg, Va. show just how badly things have gone since Michael Vick left town. The latest floor-rushing experience came after the Hokies beat preseason-favorite Boston College, 76-73. The monumental victory moved Virginia Tech out of the conference basement into a tie for last with West Virginia of the East Division. Yippee!

On the Shelf

Johnnie Selvie, UConn

Selvie, touted by some as a second-round draft selection for his tremendous upper-body strength, fell in a heap Sunday while chasing a loose ball in practice. The power forward severely sprained his ankle and is day to day. He did not play Monday against Villanova.

Impact: The Huskies need Selvie back for a Tuesday matchup with Georgetown. Somehow, we doubt if Shamon Toole, averaging a lone rebound a game, can keep Mike Sweetney and Wesley Wilson off the boards.

Harold Swanagan, ND

Someone has to get hurt in an hour-long basketball game, and it might as well be the Irish’s oft-injured forward. Swanagan fractured a knuckle on his right hand but continued playing with it thickly wrapped. He shouldn’t miss any time down the stretch.

Impact: As long as Swanagan can withstand the pain, it shouldn’t hinder his effectiveness. He’s not a primary offensive weapon and uses his time mainly to bang down low and rebound.

Abdul Mills, PC

Mills missed time earlier this week with a sore groin but played against Virginia Tech. He was limited to 25 minutes, six fewer than his average.

Impact: Head coach Tim Welsh will be very careful with his team’s leading scorer this week. Team doctors know that reinjuring a pulled muscle is common and will limit Mills’ time to what he saw against the Hokies.

On Tap

St John’s (16-7, 6-5 Big East) at Miami (20-4, 7-4)

Today, 7:30 p.m.

Neither Miami (2-2 over its last four) nor Connecticut (2-3 in its last five) seems to want to win the Big East East Division. The Red Storm sit one game behind the Hurricanes, and with Marcus Hatten’s penchant for coming through in the clutch, this game — and the division — could be the Johnnies’ for the taking.

Syracuse (18-7, 7-4) at Notre Dame (17-6, 7-3)

Sunday, 3:30 p.m.

After their victory over Georgetown, the Irish’s schedule doesn’t get any easier with Syracuse. The Irish are a game out of first place in the West but are tied with Pittsburgh in the loss column. Notre Dame holds the tiebreaker with the Panthers after sweeping the season series, and a victory against Syracuse clears a path to a first-round bye in the Big East tourney.

Yup, he said it

Courtesy of the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune: During overtime No. 4, Mike Brey looked to his bench to give his team a break. At one point he turned to center Tom Timmermans and told him to enter the game. One problem, coach. Timmermans fouled out two overtimes earlier.

‘Tell me,’ a confused Brey said to associate coach Sean Kearney. ‘Exactly who’s still eligible?’

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Published on February 12, 2002 at 12:00 pm